Torn between dining plans

[melisandes]

Get the deluxe plan because you will use the extra points for signature places. More and more places are being classified signature. I swear like over half the restaurants are signature now. oh yeah lets not forget character meals take extra points too I believe. Basically deluxe gives you more freedom.

 

[sandymandr]

I usually do regular, but am doing DxDP this trip. I think it is gonna be great! We are early risers with 2 7 year olds who love characters, so we are doing pre-RD bfasts 5 out of 8 mornings, plus a few 2TS meals. All of our TS are either pre-RD (8am) or dinner after 630 pm, and lunches will be shared CS or snacks. Also, we will more than likely use our snack credits for water in the parks because we are all like camels!! When reading your posts, it really sounds like you want to try DDx, so I say go for it!!! Just make sure and do some signature meals! And how nice will it be for you and bf to have really nice meals together without worrying about the bill?!?!?!?

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

We have been to WDW 3 times, and have done the regular plan all 3 times. We love being on a plan because we don't have to think about using cash, except for tips. Yes, the plans provide a lot of food, but I like to think plans provide a lot of choices.
I LOVE signature dining, so I would go deluxe if it were me, and if cost was not an issue.
Just my opinion. Have fun!

 

[djp0630]

We had the regular dining plan and we felt it was too much food. We didn't even eat all of our snacks and we love getting ice cream at the park, but just didn't. You get desserts with every meal, and it was just so much food. The idea of any more food with the deluxe dining plan. We did plan a couple meals OOP and for breakfast we had a couple TS, but also ate in our room since we got groceries from Garden Grocer. One thing I recommend is to price out the difference and see if it worth the extra cost. One idea for breakfast is to use your snack for cereal & milk.

 

[Colleen27]

Get the deluxe plan because you will use the extra points for signature places. More and more places are being classified signature. I swear like over half the restaurants are signature now. oh yeah lets not forget character meals take extra points too I believe. Basically deluxe gives you more freedom.

The list of signatures hasn't changed in years. The website has been wrongly classifying 1 credit meals as requiring 2 and vice-versa recently, but there haven't actually been any changes made in quite some time. Cinderella's Royal Table is still the only character meal that takes 2 credits, and the other 2TS choices are the higher-end restaurants at deluxe resorts, room service, and the dinner shows.

 

[Bete]

We use our snacks for breakfast and we do an early CS meal when it's not too crowded anywhere; so, that helps our park schedule. We get the refillable resort mug and pay OOP for it.

I get our ADRs as quickly as possible and I choose the Fantasmic package because you get an appetizer at Mama Melrose which is included with the package. This is allowed with 1 TS credit. These Fantasmic packages are hard to come by.

You can get the cheddar cheese soup included in Le Cellier's special menu as part of a special selection of meals. There are offerings including prime rib where you can get a choice of a few different appetizers which are included for 1 TS. Chef de France does the same thing. The catch is you will not be able to order the very highest priced entrees. It's a set menu when the appetizer is included. You get about 4 or 5 choices of entrees with the appetizer deal. This is allowed with 1 TS credit.

 

[squirrel]

I found the DDP to be more than enough food. I wouldn't get the DxDP if you haven't even tried the DDP first.

I did pack Cheerios but that was mostly because my niece is lactose intollerant and it takes quite a long time for her food to be made in the morning. I also packed it as last year I couldn't stand the thought of eating when I went into the food court.

This year was much better. We had a lot of snack credits left over and even quite a few CS meals. I didn't feel sick as I ate my regular breakfast-cereal. I had the desserts packed up if I was full or I asked for fruit in a to go container.

You could always pack some cereal/granola bars for breakfast. I even brought packages of oatmeal last year and made it with the hot water in the food court. You could buy bread and toast it for breakfast (Toaster and jam are available at the food court).

 

[aubriee]

Get the deluxe plan because you will use the extra points for signature places. More and more places are being classified signature. I swear like over half the restaurants are signature now. oh yeah lets not forget character meals take extra points too I believe. Basically deluxe gives you more freedom.

The only two credit meals are the dinner shows, CRT, Brown Derby, Narcoosee, Citricos, Flying Fish, Yatchsman, Jiko, Artist Point, and California Grill. Those same places have been 2 credits since the DDP was first implemented.

 

[focusondisney]

Hi!! We have used deluxe a few times & really liked it. However next trip we will use regular dining: we will only be there 5 nights & are trying to pack in all the Christmas special things: MVMCP, CP, Osborne Lights, Yultide tour.

So I think a decicing factor for us is how we are planning to spend our time. Usually we do a park in the AM, table service lunch, return to hotel & swim or nap & then do a nice table service dinner(usually a 2 credit). We go every year so we don't spend all day in the park. We like table service because we don't like the standing in line & then hunting for a table. By the time you do that, you may as well sit & be waited on. Also I like salads & appetizers. We aren't big breakfast eaters so using a snack credit for breakfast is OK with us.

Cost wise, we definately ate more than we spent when we have used deluxe dining. Or I should say ordered more. I do not eat everything served to me. I'm OK with eating only half of my meal or dessert so I have room for everything with out being sick! Some people feel that's "waste" & won't do it, so decide how you feel about that,too.

I think the idea to book regular & then upgrade if you want is good. Looks like you'll be able to make your adr's soon. Good luck deciding!

 

[danceintherain]

The list of signatures hasn't changed in years. The website has been wrongly classifying 1 credit meals as requiring 2 and vice-versa recently, but there haven't actually been any changes made in quite some time. Cinderella's Royal Table is still the only character meal that takes 2 credits, and the other 2TS choices are the higher-end restaurants at deluxe resorts, room service, and the dinner shows.

The only two credit meals are the dinner shows, CRT, Brown Derby, Narcoosee, Citricos, Flying Fish, Yatchsman, Jiko, Artist Point, and California Grill. Those same places have been 2 credits since the DDP was first implemented.

Thank You for clarifying that. Every time that rumor gets mentioned I get nervous a little.

Anyways.
I would make a list of all the places you want to eat, then look at the menu and calculate the cost of what you would actually eat there.
Just doing Deluxe Dining for convenience purposes may not be cost effective. Even if you went with the Regular Dining Plan you could budget in a certain amount of money for extra snacks and meals, and you may find that you're not actually paying as much as you would with the Deluxe Plan.
The Deluxe Plan is $30/day/person more, so if it looks like you would add on that much extra to the Reg. DP, then the Deluxe may be a better choice. Many of the Resort Character meals are only $20/person, so you could easily add in a couple without paying more than the Deluxe plan.
The only way I can see the Deluxe Plan being worth it is if you do a lot of Signature Dining.
For example if you do 1 TS Breakfast or Lunch then 2TS Dinners most days, then you'll be able to use the credits easily.

With Le Cellier you can get the Cheddar Cheese Soup if you order off the "Chef's Favorites" you will just be more limited in your entree. This is included on the Reg. Dining Plan even though it includes an appetizer.

 

[melisandes]

The only two credit meals are the dinner shows, CRT, Brown Derby, Narcoosee, Citricos, Flying Fish, Yatchsman, Jiko, Artist Point, and California Grill. Those same places have been 2 credits since the DDP was first implemented.

I am a spoiled little brat apparently because Narcoosees and Brown Derby are must eats for me. I LOVE those two places. I want to desperately eat at Jikos since I was too sick for my Jiko ressie last time and I would not mind Artist Point as a dinner ressie. So for me the Dlx Plan is what I need.

Edit: Also one more thought. If I stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge I like to get room service and eat it on my patio watching the animals. Nothing like the taste of Boma with a view and that is 2 credits as well. Yep I am a spoiled brat and openly admit it.

 

[JamesMom]

I am thinking the same question: DDP or DxDDP?

Factors for our family:
- Hubby loves breakfast, most favorite meal. We WILL be eating eggs and bacon every day.
- Cali Grill, CRT and possibly Hoop de Doo will eat up 6 credits all by themselves (we have 8 for our 8 night trip under reg DDP).
- Character meals - I don't believe in waiting in line for characters when they come to me sitting in air-conditioned comfort with beverage in hand. I have Chef M, Ohana, Tusker, Crystal Pal,Play &Dine and CRT as part of the ideal plan.
- Buffets+kids = happy family. Sitting down, decide on the fly what to eat and little to no waiting and scrounging for tables.
- we like apetizers, salads and soups with our meals.

Factors against:
- Scheduling meals 6 months in advance. To work around this I'll overplan ADRs so we can work on the fly - skip one TS for one later in the trip if kids are tired that day, etc. (ie, make 2 Cali Grill ADRs plan on using 1. do this for about 3-4 "must Have" meals - this should be ok since we can theoretically have 24 TS meals for the trip)
- having to skip too many TS because of cranky kids and thus waste money.
- I know my youngest aka Pickiest Eater Aliver will not eat much of anything, period. Plan on bringing favs with us (poptarts, crackers, etc) so can eat what he likes while we eat what we like. Oldest is adventerous and will try new foods, plus likes varied offers so he'll get his money's worth.



I excelled an ambitious eating plan with 13 TS meals (3 doubles) and 8 counter service meals. Figuring TS = $72 each average and CS = $35 each and snacks valued at $200 for the trip: I am coming out around $200 ahead so if we "waste" 3 TS meals we should break even.

Sound good? Or should I just make my ADRs and pay out of pocket for all those breakfast buffets and gamble?

 

[melisandes]

You are like me. You need the Deluxe in my mind. HDDR is worth the extra credits as long as you are not from that area of the country. That was some excellent fried chicken and corn bread. Yumm,. The show was cute too.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I haven't tried either yet (in Dec will be our first try of DDp with free dining), but fwiw, my Travel Agent told me that she always warns her clients that deluxe dining is way too much food. From my pov it is also way too much time spent eating, considering each TS meal is at least 1.5 hours and frequently longer, not including travel time to the restaurant.

So here's my suggestion. Why not get the DDP for now, get all your ADRs of where you would like to eat and when (including signature restaurants if that's what floats your boat).
Then see if it makes sense to upgrade to the deluxe ddp.
Remember, you can always upgrade for free but disney will charge you a change fee if you downgrade anything.

hth.

This is not right - you have to pay to upgrade!!! To go from regular dp to deluxe you have to pay the difference. Also, what is the TA thinking, it is just her opinion that deluxe is way too much food. Also, CS takes up a whole lot of time, we hate CS, yes it does take up too much time, just as much as TS. And the food is boring.

 

[Colleen27]

This is not right - you have to pay to upgrade!!! To go from regular dp to deluxe you have to pay the difference. Also, what is the TA thinking, it is just her opinion that deluxe is way too much food. Also, CS takes up a whole lot of time, we hate CS, yes it does take up too much time, just as much as TS. And the food is boring.

You have to pay the difference when you upgrade, but what she was referring to is that Disney doesn't charge any fees to make your package more expensive, even within 45 days. If you were to make your package cheaper, though, by dropping the deluxe plan and going with the basic, you'd be hit with a change fee if within your 45 day mark. So for someone on the fence between two dining plans (or ticket options or anything else that isn't subject to selling out) it makes sense to book the lower cost plan at first and upgrade later when the decision is made.

I agree that the TA isn't doing her clients any favors with such strong and set opinions of something that comes down to personal preference. And I totally agree about counter service; the last park CS meal we had at Disney took an hour, and it was a much less relaxing hour than if we'd spent the same amount of time at a TS lunch instead.

 

[ohlas]

Look if your worried about the price go to allears.net they have the best list of menus with prices pick the places you want to eat and play the this is what i would order if i had all the money in the world game. add it up she what it would cost every day to eat like a king and it only like 145.00 day for you and bf to eat that cheap to eat like a king.

You people that order desert when your not going to eat it are crazy lol i would be a princess and eat 2 bits not haul it back to hotel unless they will ship it to the room for me lol

 

[caroline1851]

I don't think the deluxe seems like too much food. Eat a TS buffet breakfast at whichever park you're going to or at your resort if they have one), grab a snack or 2 during the day if you're hungry/thirsty and then have a signature TS dinner in the evening. How is that too much food? It's too much food if you stuff yourself, but eat normally and it'll be fine. YOu will end up spending a lot oop if you go with the basic ddp (it sounds like from what you wrote).

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I don't think the deluxe seems like too much food. Eat a TS buffet breakfast at whichever park you're going to or at your resort if they have one), grab a snack or 2 during the day if you're hungry/thirsty and then have a signature TS dinner in the evening. How is that too much food? It's too much food if you stuff yourself, but eat normally and it'll be fine. YOu will end up spending a lot oop if you go with the basic ddp (it sounds like from what you wrote).

This is exactly how we do the deluxe. We also do our evening meal late, since the kids and adults all take a nap in the afternoon there are no breakdowns, it works out great!!

 

[tami82]

I would DEFINITELY go with the regular plan. I am an average eater (but can eat heavily at times) and found it was alot of food. Also remember you DONT want to overeat because it will make you very sluggish and not something you want when going to the parks. We didnt eat too much for breakfast (bought poptarts for the kids, a box of donuts, & granola bars). We would then eat an early lunch around 11:00 using the counter service and would order a nice chicken salad w/choco cake and this would hold us over until our table service dinner which we would make around 4:30 or 5:00. At this time we went to mostly buffet type dinners and it was ALOT of food. We didnt use all of our snack credits and wound up with extra goodies to take home. Unless you plan on going to alot of 2 credit places i wouldnt do it.

 

[Macdonx]

We're doing Deluxe this time (did regular DDP last time). We did pay out of pocket last time toward the end of the week when we ran out of credits.
I agree with PPs, look at the menus and decide on what you might order if you were there. Don't even really look at the prices (because if you're constantly looking to order the most expensive thing just because you can get it "free" on the plan, that's not a great representation of what you'd spend if you had to pay). Then, tally up your cost. Then, look again at what you'd like to get if you were on the DXDDP (like appetizers, or more signature restaurants).
Either plan will let you enjoy disney dining. It just depends what you have in mind. Have fun!